Located in the heart of Central New York's rolling hills and overlooking historic Vernon Downs Racetrack, Vernon Downs Casino Hotel is your home-away-from-home for a uniquely fun and exciting getaway! There's something for everyone - from an indoor pool for relaxing and great food at our family-friendly restaurants, to conference rooms, banquet facilities and harness race track... it's all here at Vernon Downs Casino Hotel!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Rockokie Continues Thursday Night
The Rockokie Star Contest continues Thursday night with the top 10 singers taking the Ring Eyed Pete's Stage inside the Casino at 6pm.
Here are the Top 10 with their song choices for this week. Remember, the contestants are not only judged by our panel of judges, but also by the audience. So come support your favorite singer!
1. Dorrie Giruzzi - Dreams/Crazy
2. Brian Nelson - Ring of Fire/Good Hearted Woman
3. Edward Foster - Your Cheating Heart/Sweet Caroline
4. Art Newman - I Want You to Want Me/All Right Now
5. Josh Leone - One More Last Chance/Blue Suede Shoes
6. Jeneane Ciancaglini - Rolling in the Deep/Love Me
7. Nikki Edsall - Chain of Fools/Superstitious
8. Denise Lusby - Ain't No Sunshine/Runaway
9. Eva Gigon - Fever/You're No Good
10. Meghan Coe - Landslide/Summertime
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Future is Looking UP at the DOWNS
Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel is looking to fill many positions throughout the facility as they prepare for the upcoming 2012 Harness Racing season.
Vernon Downs will be taking applications immediately and will be holding two Job Fairs on Saturday, March 24 from 2pm to 6pm and on Wednesday, March 28 from 11am to 6pm in the Hotel’s new Event Center.
Vernon Downs is looking to hire people to work in all areas of the operation, which, in turn, will help boost the local economy.
These jobs range from seasonal employees to part-time & full-time positions
According to Vice President and General Manager of Vernon Downs Casino, Scott Freeman, "Vernon Downs has shown significant growth over the past 6 years, and we are proud to be in a position to employ additional local workers who can continue to grow with us."
The property also offers an all-suites hotel and recently expanded Convention Facility that also have job openings.
During the Job Fairs, Department Managers will conduct same-day interviews, with on-the-spot hiring.
Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel kicks off their sixth season of live harness racing on Friday, April 27th with food, family fun and fireworks to cap off the evening.
Monday, March 19, 2012
15 singers advance to Week 3 of Rockokie Star Contest
Here are the 15 singers who have advanced to Week 3 of the Rockokie Star Contest. The next round is Thursday at Ring Eyed Pete's inside the casino beginning at 6pm. The singers are competing for $5,000 in prize money!
1. Meghan Coe
2. Dorrie Giruzzi
3. Brian Nelson
4. Edward Foster
5. Art Newman
6. Josh Leone
7. Jeneane Ciancaglini
8. Nikki Edsall
9. Chenin Hudson
10. Jessie Allen
11. Fred Kelly
12. Cindy Leone
13. Denise Lusby
14. Eva Gigon
15. Jackie Brando
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Opening Round of Rockokie Kicks Off Thursday Night
The first ever Rockokie Star Contest begins Thursday night on the Ring Eyed Pete's Stage at Vernon Downs Casino.
The 20 contestants will be judged not only by three Vernon Downs judges, but by the audience as well.
The contestants with the most votes move on to the next round with five contestants being eliminated each week until the finals on April 20th.
On April 20th, five contestants will perform and one winner will be chosen with the first place prize of $3,000 in cash.
Here are the 20 contestants and the songs they'll be singing this Thursday starting at 6:00pm:
Meghan Coe – “Rolling in the Deep” Adele
Margo Lenweaver – “You and I” Lady Gaga
Denise Lusby – “Something to Talk About” Bonnie Raitt
Chenin Hudson – “Crazy” Patsy Cline
Josh Leone – “Folsom Prison Blues” – Johnny Cash
Alisia Uryniak – “Summertime” Gershwin
Jeneane Ciancaglini – “Walking After Midnight” Patsy Cline
Jessie Allen – “Dreams” Fleetwood Mac
Michelle Meyer – “Black Velvet” Alannah Miles
Dorrie Giruzzi – “Give Me One Reason” Tracy Chapman
Brian Nelson – “Brown Eyed Girl” Van Morrison
Art Newman – “Learn to Fly” Foo Fighters
Alexa Grafmuller – “Landslide” Fleetwood Mac
Peter Dowling – “Evil Ways” Santana
Nicole Edsall – “Mercy” Duffy
Eva Gigon – “Me and Bobby McGee” Janis Joplin
Jackie Brando – “I Hear You Knocking” Wynonna
Fred Kelly – “Bad Moon Rising” CCR
Cindy Leone – “Stand By Me” Ben E. King
Eddie Foster – “That’s All Right Mama” Elvis
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Taking stock in Cuomo's gambling proposal
Original story at The Register Star Online
 |
| Gary Greenberg sits in the kitchen of his home in Valatie with some of the souvenirs from Vernon Downs that he has collected over the years spread out on the table. | David Lee/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers |
By John Mason
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
NEW YORK - Eight words Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants added to the New York State Constitution have lifted the hopes of racetrack owners and betting fans and raised concerns of others about increased gambling and increased competition for American Indian casinos.
The eight words are "and except casino gambling regulated by the state," and they would be added to Article 1, Section 9, Subdivision 1, which lists unpermitted gambling-related activities. Casino gambling would become an exception, meaning that it would be permitted.
Gary Greenberg of Valatie owns about 5 percent of the Vernon Downs harness track in Utica. As an active shareholder, he said, he has been involved in lobbying efforts to change laws to benefit the tracks.
The stock has a sentimental value for Greenberg, who would go to the track with his grandfather.
Greenberg's family have held stock in Vernon Downs for more than half a century. When it was starting out, construction bonds were being sold. Greenberg's grandfather bought some, and they converted into stock.
Those stayed in the family. Then in 1998, when the video lottery terminals were coming in, shares were put up for sale and Greenberg bought some.
He has also been a defender of the rights of shareholders, as Vernon Downs has gone through ownership changes and in and out of bankruptcy.
Vernon Downs is one of nine non-Indian casinos in New York state. It's about 15 miles from Turning Stone, located on the Oneida Indian Reservation.
Turning Stone doesn't pay taxes.
The Indian casinos are allowed to have full table games - the racetrack casinos, or racinos, can only have video lottery terminals, or VLTs.
Gov. Cuomo's proposed amendment would allow a change to the State Constitution to allow non-Indian casinos to have full-table games with dealers.
"Pennsylvania and Connecticut already have this, and Massachusetts just passed a law - they'll have it in a year," Greenberg said.
The bill would go to both houses of the State Legislature this year, and again next year. If it passes both houses in each of the next two years, it would go before the voters as a referendum in November 2013.
"Gov. Cuomo is behind it," Greenberg said. "We're positive it will pass."
Also behind it is the Business Council of New York state.
"Expanding state regulated gaming will give the state's economy a much-needed boost, with significant new private sector jobs and capital investment, and could produce up to $1 billion in new state tax revenues, according to Division of Budget estimates," the council stated in a press release.
"Casino gaming is already a multi-billion dollar industry in the state. The state's nine raceways and video lottery terminal locations employ an estimated 5,000 people and have contributed over $3.55 billion in state tax revenue."
The release predicted the expansion of casino gaming would create thousands of jobs "with a positive impact on travel and tourism."
James Maney, a spokesman for the New York Council on Problem Gambling, said, "We don't take a stand on the expansion of gambling. We will (say that) when there's more opportunity and availability, more people will have problems with it."
New York state, Maney said, needs more prevention, more research, more public awareness about problem gambling.
"There's gambling on every corner already," he said. "Casino gambling is just 1 percent of it. The Internet is the hugest one. Casino gambling is just the introduction of table games; we have slot machines, VLTs, we have electronic table games, roulette, craps, baccarat."
Expansion would allow non-electronic table games, meaning more variety of games, he said. The problem is in the greater availability.
"If you put in a highway, if there's a cliff you put guard rails up," he said. "(With gambling) we don't put in any signs saying 'slow down.' We've got to put in warnings and make sure there's information out there so people can make intelligent decisions."
Greenberg agrees that such advertising is needed.
"We don't want people to spend their whole paychecks," he said. "There's advertising in all the racinos. For people who need help, it's available. The majority come in for fun and entertainment."
In response to Cuomo's speech, a spokesman for the Oneida Indians emailed the following response: "Governor Cuomo presented a very far-reaching and ambitious agenda. We support the governor's goal of revitalizing the upstate economy and creating a more prosperous future for all of our communities. We look forward to working with the administration as a productive partner in building a better New York."
The spokesman indicated that this should not be construed as an endorsement of the expansion of casinos.
Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter said the nation doesn't oppose statewide casino gambling, but expects state lawmakers to honor state law and retain the Nation's 14-county exclusivity zone in Western New York.
"The governor wisely recognizes the economic benefits to New York State of Indian-owned casinos. The Seneca Nation has no quarrel with the governor's goal of bringing this success to other parts of the state," Porter said. "But in the course of doing so, the state must not kill the golden goose that supports the Western New York economy and must recognize our exclusivity zone."
Greenberg also favors exclusivity of a kind - for the state's seven harness tracks, Batavia, Hamburg, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Saratoga, Monticello and Yonkers, as well as two thoroughbred tracks with racinos, Finger Lakes and Aqueduct.
"The nine tracks want non-Indian casinos at their locations," he said. "We're against further locations. We're up against Turning Stone. We've done well, because people want to support Vernon Downs because they do pay taxes."
The casinos, he said, would create thousands of jobs for New York state.
"Between the nine racetracks," Greenberg said, "I think it will bring billions into the state."
Some money, he said, would go to New York state for education, some would go to the track, some would go to agriculture and some would be put away for track improvements, profits and marketing. Some VLT profits are going to breeders, which is good locally.
"Columbia County is becoming an area for breeders of horses; there are a lot of thoroughbreds here," Greenberg said.
"The law would help increase the purses," he said. VLTs, which were added in 2006, helped increase revenues.
"The VLTs have worked well," Greenberg said. "There's no crime. The communities are happy with them. They get a percentage of the profits each year."
The eight words are "and except casino gambling regulated by the state," and they would be added to Article 1, Section 9, Subdivision 1, which lists unpermitted gambling-related activities. Casino gambling would become an exception, meaning that it would be permitted.
Gary Greenberg of Valatie owns about 5 percent of the Vernon Downs harness track in Utica. As an active shareholder, he said, he has been involved in lobbying efforts to change laws to benefit the tracks.
The stock has a sentimental value for Greenberg, who would go to the track with his grandfather.
Greenberg's family have held stock in Vernon Downs for more than half a century. When it was starting out, construction bonds were being sold. Greenberg's grandfather bought some, and they converted into stock.
Those stayed in the family. Then in 1998, when the video lottery terminals were coming in, shares were put up for sale and Greenberg bought some.
He has also been a defender of the rights of shareholders, as Vernon Downs has gone through ownership changes and in and out of bankruptcy.
Vernon Downs is one of nine non-Indian casinos in New York state. It's about 15 miles from Turning Stone, located on the Oneida Indian Reservation.
Turning Stone doesn't pay taxes.
The Indian casinos are allowed to have full table games - the racetrack casinos, or racinos, can only have video lottery terminals, or VLTs.
Gov. Cuomo's proposed amendment would allow a change to the State Constitution to allow non-Indian casinos to have full-table games with dealers.
"Pennsylvania and Connecticut already have this, and Massachusetts just passed a law - they'll have it in a year," Greenberg said.
The bill would go to both houses of the State Legislature this year, and again next year. If it passes both houses in each of the next two years, it would go before the voters as a referendum in November 2013.
"Gov. Cuomo is behind it," Greenberg said. "We're positive it will pass."
Also behind it is the Business Council of New York state.
"Expanding state regulated gaming will give the state's economy a much-needed boost, with significant new private sector jobs and capital investment, and could produce up to $1 billion in new state tax revenues, according to Division of Budget estimates," the council stated in a press release.
"Casino gaming is already a multi-billion dollar industry in the state. The state's nine raceways and video lottery terminal locations employ an estimated 5,000 people and have contributed over $3.55 billion in state tax revenue."
The release predicted the expansion of casino gaming would create thousands of jobs "with a positive impact on travel and tourism."
James Maney, a spokesman for the New York Council on Problem Gambling, said, "We don't take a stand on the expansion of gambling. We will (say that) when there's more opportunity and availability, more people will have problems with it."
New York state, Maney said, needs more prevention, more research, more public awareness about problem gambling.
"There's gambling on every corner already," he said. "Casino gambling is just 1 percent of it. The Internet is the hugest one. Casino gambling is just the introduction of table games; we have slot machines, VLTs, we have electronic table games, roulette, craps, baccarat."
Expansion would allow non-electronic table games, meaning more variety of games, he said. The problem is in the greater availability.
"If you put in a highway, if there's a cliff you put guard rails up," he said. "(With gambling) we don't put in any signs saying 'slow down.' We've got to put in warnings and make sure there's information out there so people can make intelligent decisions."
Greenberg agrees that such advertising is needed.
"We don't want people to spend their whole paychecks," he said. "There's advertising in all the racinos. For people who need help, it's available. The majority come in for fun and entertainment."
In response to Cuomo's speech, a spokesman for the Oneida Indians emailed the following response: "Governor Cuomo presented a very far-reaching and ambitious agenda. We support the governor's goal of revitalizing the upstate economy and creating a more prosperous future for all of our communities. We look forward to working with the administration as a productive partner in building a better New York."
The spokesman indicated that this should not be construed as an endorsement of the expansion of casinos.
Seneca Nation President Robert Odawi Porter said the nation doesn't oppose statewide casino gambling, but expects state lawmakers to honor state law and retain the Nation's 14-county exclusivity zone in Western New York.
"The governor wisely recognizes the economic benefits to New York State of Indian-owned casinos. The Seneca Nation has no quarrel with the governor's goal of bringing this success to other parts of the state," Porter said. "But in the course of doing so, the state must not kill the golden goose that supports the Western New York economy and must recognize our exclusivity zone."
Greenberg also favors exclusivity of a kind - for the state's seven harness tracks, Batavia, Hamburg, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, Saratoga, Monticello and Yonkers, as well as two thoroughbred tracks with racinos, Finger Lakes and Aqueduct.
"The nine tracks want non-Indian casinos at their locations," he said. "We're against further locations. We're up against Turning Stone. We've done well, because people want to support Vernon Downs because they do pay taxes."
The casinos, he said, would create thousands of jobs for New York state.
"Between the nine racetracks," Greenberg said, "I think it will bring billions into the state."
Some money, he said, would go to New York state for education, some would go to the track, some would go to agriculture and some would be put away for track improvements, profits and marketing. Some VLT profits are going to breeders, which is good locally.
"Columbia County is becoming an area for breeders of horses; there are a lot of thoroughbreds here," Greenberg said.
"The law would help increase the purses," he said. VLTs, which were added in 2006, helped increase revenues.
"The VLTs have worked well," Greenberg said. "There's no crime. The communities are happy with them. They get a percentage of the profits each year."
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel Investments Would Boost Local Economy by $14 Million, Create Nearly 100 Construction-related and 78 Permanent Jobs
$9.8 Million Private Investment Hinges
on Passage of Expanded Gaming in New York
New Study Shows Local Economic Benefits
of Live Table Games for Oneida County
The addition of live table games to Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel would significantly increase the casino’s impact on the economy of Oneida County, with planned investments of nearly $10 million initially generating nearly 100 construction-related jobs, and expanded operations generating nearly $13 million annually in county-wide economic output and more than 154 new, local jobs. The findings came from an economic impact study released today by the New York Gaming Association which demonstrates how a Constitutional amendment authorizing live table games would help local economies. If the Constitutional amendment authorizing live table games is approved, Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel is planning to invest nearly $10 million in private funding for a new casino complex that would become a destination spot for tourism in Oneida County. The upgrades would include renovations to the hotel, improvements to racing facilities, expansion of gaming, event, recreational and meeting space.
“As the residents of Oneida County are well aware, casino gambling already exists and allowing us to add table games would create new jobs and appeal to a different customer base of younger people who enjoy poker and real table games.” states Jeffrey Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment, (which operates Vernon Downs Casino and Racetrack.)
The independent economic impact report estimates that this investment would increase local economic output, which includes wages and salaries and the purchase of goods and services by more than $14 million and immediately create nearly 100 jobs in construction and other local industries, with an additional increase of almost 80 new jobs in hotel, gaming and restaurant operations once the facility is complete. Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel currently has over 300employees. Based on 2011 salary and wage levels, the annual payroll for these new employees is estimated to be more than $3 million.
In addition to these direct jobs, the “multiplier effect” of increased casino spending would create approximately 20 additional jobs with other businesses in the County.
The casino’s enhanced business would also allow Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel to increase its assistance to the racing and breeding industry, supporting additional jobs in the industry and adding more than $1.2 million to the local economy.
The expansion of Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel would also increase state and local government revenue including funding for education. According to the estimates from the report, payments to the state from Vernon Downs Casino net win would increase by over $5 million from what it is currently contributing without live table games; and more than $368,000 in other state taxes. The increase to local municipalities including local sales tax, hotel tax and real property tax would beapproximately $294,000. Finally, the construction project alone would generate approximately $259,000 in one-time state income, sales and business taxes; and about $19,000 in local sales taxes.
With the addition of live table games, The nine New York Gaming Association members are planning to invest more than $1.8 billion in construction, creating more than 17,000 construction related jobs and generating over $3.3 billion in state-wide economic output and approximately $300 million in additional support for education.
Allowing our members to offer table games will attract more visitors to our facilities, keeping the $3-5 billion that is currently being spent in other states, right here in New York.
The Racetrack Casinos comprising the New York Gaming Association include:
• Batavia Downs Casino
• Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway
• Empire Resorts at Monticello Casino & Raceway
• Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack
• Hamburg Casino at Buffalo Raceway
• Resorts World Casino New York at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Saratoga Casino & Raceway
• Tioga Downs Casino
• Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel
The economic impact analysis study was conducted by Appleseed Inc., a New York City firm that specializes in providing economic and social research analysis.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Study: Vernon Downs Casino &Hotel Creating Jobs for Oneida County
553 Jobs Supported, Added Over $28.5 Million to Oneida County Economy & Generated Nearly $22 Million to State and Local Revenues Annually
Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel Raceway added over $28.5 million to the Oneida County economy and generated nearly $22 million annually in revenues for the region and the state, according to a new economic impact analysis conducted by an independent firm.This analysis also estimates that 553 local, full and part-time jobs are supported by the Casino.
The New York Gaming Association (NYGA) released part one of the two-part report today to outline the positive economic impact gaming has had on the local economy.
A second report, which will be released in the next few weeks, will show projections for future regional job growth and revenues that will be generated if enhanced gaming is authorized in New York.
Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State legislature will consider passing a constitutional amendment to authorize enhanced gaming.
"Many residents depend on the jobs Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel provides, and we are pleased with the results of the study," Jeff Gural, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment (which operates Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel) said. "We are thankful for the success we have had and proud to be an economic asset to our community."
According to estimates from the analysis, in 2011 Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel provided 553 local full and part-time jobs, with 306 of those jobs representing direct employment by the casino.
Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel supported 161 jobs for racing and breeding.
Wages and salaries for employees totaled more than $8 million.
Additional findings from the report show that in 2011, Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel:
• Accounted for over $28.5 million in economic output for the region;
• Reinvested more than $1.6 million into the local economy with the purchase of goods and services (including construction) from businesses in Oneida County;
• Accounted directly and indirectly for nearly $1.3 million in revenues for Oneida County municipalities, and;
• Generated over $19 million in State revenues, of which more than $14.6 million went towards education in New York State, which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 210 elementary and secondary school teachers throughout New York State.
The nine Racetrack Casinos comprising the New York Gaming Association include:
• Batavia Downs Casino
• Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway
• Empire Resorts at Monticello Casino & Raceway
• Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack
• Hamburg Casino at the Fairgrounds
• Resorts World Casino New York at Aqueduct Racetrack
• Saratoga Casino & Raceway
• Tioga Downs Casino
• Vernon Downs Casino & Hotel
The New York Gaming Association members have contributed $1.96 billion to the State in 2011.
Over $830.5 million has gone to fund education in New York State which is the equivalent of paying the salaries of more than 11,900 elementary and secondary school teachers throughout New York State.
The nine Racetrack Casinos employ nearly 5,500 New Yorkers directly and have created a total of 17,400 jobs both directly and indirectly across the state.
The economic impact analysis study was conducted by Appleseed Inc., a New York City firm that specializes in providing economic and social research analysis.
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